Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Valley Green Landscape Inc., a landscaping company based in Henderson Nev., has paid $127,808 in back wages to 98 workers to settle a U.S. Department of Labor complaint that the company failed to pay overtime wages earned by workers.

"This Administration is committed to ensuring all workers are paid the full wages they are entitled to receive," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "Our Wage and Hour Division recovered more than $212 million in back wages in fiscal year 2003 - a 21 percent increase over the previous year."

The investigation by the department's Wage and Hour Division of Valley Green Landscape determined that several gardeners working on commercial properties in Las Vegas and Henderson were paid a fixed hourly wage for all hours worked, and did not receive overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 in a week.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires that employees eligible for overtime must be paid one-and-one-half times their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 per week.

The back wages compensate employees for work performed during a two-year period ending in August 2003. All employees have been paid in full. The company has revised its payroll and record-keeping procedures and has agreed to future compliance with the law.

For more information about the FLSA, call the Wage and Hour office in Las Vegas, 702-388-6001, or the Department of Labor's toll-free help line at 1-866-4US WAGE (1-866-487-9243). Information is also available on the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.